WHEN Widnes Vikings' latest signing, Julian O'Neill, played as a second half substitute on Sunday, it was his third "debut" for the club.

It was also the second time in his career he has had to revert to his first name Jules to distinguish him from Julian O'Neill, the Vikings' Kiwi forward

Now 32, Australian "Jules" first pulled on a Widnes jersey as a 19 year-old back in the 1992/93 season.

That short stint culminated in a Wembley appearance in the team which lost to Wigan.

His second spell with the club ended last season, but when Vikings coach Frank Endacott saw an opportunity to bring him back again he didn't hesitate.

The former Brisbane Broncos and Queensland star had been playing his rugby league with Wakefield Trinity Wildcats this year but was clearly pleased to return to familiar territory where he still resides.

"It's good to be back," he said. "Now I can spend a lot more time off the road and on the park."

O'Neill took up the full back role in the Vikings' 40-12 hammering of Huddersfield Giants and he believes they have what it takes to get out of relegation trouble.

"I didn't come here as a full back but that's where I found myself and maybe a little bit of experience at the back there gave the guys a bit of verbal communication that they actually need," he added..

"The boys had an extraordinary game really.

"It was tight there for a certain amount of time and a couple of things didn't go our way, but the good thing was no heads fell."

Widnes now have Wakefield and Salford in their sights as they begin what they hope will be a surge up the table in the second half of the season.

O'Neill was playing at loose-forward for Wakefield, but if his own assessment of the Vikings performance against the Giants is anything to go by, he may have to settle for a different role.

"I though our back-row were exceptional especially in the second half. The first half we were too stereotyped, and that was pointed out by the coach.

"But it wasn't our attack, it was our defence. We had a 93 per cent completion in the first half and that's what I think got Huddersfield.

"We didn't do anything special in the second half but we ran the ball hard and our forwards were exceptional."